FAQ

FAQ

Pacifical

Who is Pacifical?

Pacifical is the global tuna marketing company jointly set up by the 8 PNA Pacific Island nations in 2011, to promote and actively trade their MSC certified sustainably caught free school skipjack and yellowfin tuna, caught in the pristine and tuna rich waters of their countries.

Who owns Pacifical?

Pacifical c.v is a 50/50 joint venture between the association of the PNA nations and Sustunable B.V of the Netherlands, a company which since 2008 has been a pioneer in developing and marketing tuna caught exclusively on free schools, and without the use of FADs.

Why is the Pacifical logo on my MSC tuna product?

The Pacifical logo serves as a geographic indicator, bringing recognition to the PNA region. It informs consumers about the origin of the high quality MSC certified tuna that is inside the product they have bought. Pacifical tuna is caught in the pristine waters of the PNA and it is 100% traceable from the moment of catch, all the way to the can found in the cupboard. The logo represents the support and contribution of the supermarket chain or brand to the development of the PNA people, their nations, economies and the extensive efforts taken by these small countries to preserve their tuna resources for the world’s future generations.

Does Pacifical Fish, Process, Sell and Invoice Tuna products?

No, Pacifical does not fish, process, sell or invoice any tuna products. The company is purely a marketing service organization that focuses on developing global markets and customers for MSC certified tuna caught within the PNA waters, as well as guarding the integrity of the entire MSC Chain of Custody, from the moment of catch to delivery to the consumer. Pacifical has MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) with many partners that fish, process, sell and deliver the MSC tuna from the PNA.

Which tuna products can Pacifical offer?

Pacifical offers sustainable products packed from only two types of tuna: MSC certified sustainably caught free school skipjack and yellowfin tuna. From these two species a wide range of frozen, pre-cooked, canned, pouched, and dried products are created.

What is the Pacifical Sustainable Catching Method?

Pacifical tuna is caught by a method called “purse seining on free schools”, by setting and encircling a net around only free swimming schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna. These large industrial fishing vessels (purse seiners) encircle schools of adult fish, pull a large net around them, and then close the net at the bottom, creating a purse. This purse is then tightened so that all the fish comes together tightly. After this, the tuna is scooped out and loaded into the freezing wells of the boat. The fish is frozen onboard within minutes after the catch, preserving the highest level of quality.

What are the quality standards of tuna products carrying the Pacifical and MSC logos?

Products carrying the Pacifical and MSC logo have no pre-set standards in terms of quality and taste, only on sustainability and social accountability. Pacifical is involved in all elements, which are related to the development, catching, processing, distribution and marketing of the product. However quality standards are set by the brand or retailer.

How traceable are the products from Pacifical?

We can provide 100% traceability from sea to shelf to any of our customers. This is how it works in practice:

An MSC trip number and an MSC trained observer would be assigned by the PNA Office to a fishing vessel. The observer onboard updates the catching data several times per day via satellite, using a tablet, which feeds the PNA computer system “FIMS” with data such as species, quantity, location, amount of catch and bycatch and all the other catch related data. The FIMS data system is directly linked to our Pacifical IT platform.

The processor connects the production batch number online in the Pacifical system with the MSC trip number under which the fish was caught. Then, by only entering the tracking code or scanning a QR code on the pack, distributors and consumers around the world can verify the sustainable method with which their tuna was caught, where and when it was caught, by which vessel, and when and where it was processed.

What is a Pacifical MOU?

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a nonbinding agreement between Pacifical and the company willing to process, market and sell MSC tuna from the PNA waters. It outlines the terms and details of an understanding between Pacifical and its fishing, processing, distribution and trading partners on how to work together.

PNA

What is PNA?

PNA stands for “Parties to the Nauru Agreement” and it is made up of 8 countries in the Western and Central Pacific: Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. These small island nations, but also large ocean states, have been closely cooperating for the last 20 years to manage and preserve their own tuna resources in a sustainable and socially responsible way.

What is the percentage of the world’s tuna found in the PNA area?

About 25% of the world’s tuna is caught each year within PNA waters. These territorial waters cover an area 40% bigger than the European Union.

Who manages the tuna stocks in the PNA?

Pacifical MSC certified skipjack and yellowfin tuna is caught in the PNA waters. These waters are jointly managed by the PNA countries. These are island nations that take part in the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The WCPFC is the Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) in this ocean area. The WCPFC employs scientists who analyze all the data being generated by the onboard observers and regularly assesses the health of regional tuna stocks. All member nations of the WCPFC, the resource owners and the fishing countries, come together to try and jointly agree on how to manage WCPO stocks.

What is the eligible volume of MSC tuna that can be caught in PNA waters?

The eligible volume of MSC Pacifical tuna that can be caught in the PNA is 800,000mt (600,000mt SKJ and 200,000mt YF), which is about 20% of the global tuna catch.

Is there whole year around MSC SKJ and YF tuna available from the PNA waters?

Yes, there is free school catch available throughout the year. Peak season is during a period of 4 months (July to October), when FAD fishing is forbidden in the PNA and WCPO region.

Which MSC certifications does the PNA fishery hold?

In which FAO zones are the PNA MSC SKJ and YF tuna caught?

In FAO zone 77 and 71. The majority of the MSC tuna is caught in zone 77.

Is MSC tuna from PNA waters dolphin friendly?

Yes, within the Western Central Pacific the observed catches of dolphins and other marine mammals is very low, e.g. around 0.0009% for six different dolphin species. The discard rate is very high (over 99%) and post-release survival chances are high.

Furthermore, during the MSC assessment this situation was studied and the information gathered provides independent and peer reviewed evidence that the purse seine setting on unassociated (non-FAD) free schools of the PNA fishery is not targeting, or harming any species of dolphin.

To meet the MSC standard a fishery must be able to demonstrate that it does not put at risk population levels of species caught incidentally (bycatch), including dolphins, other mammals and/or other endangered and threatened species.

Does PNA have Social Accountability Guidelines for Purse Seine Tuna Fishing Vessels?

Pacifical has established Social Accountability Guidelines for all vessels involved in its MSC certified sustainable tuna fishery. The new guidelines are unique, as they cover over 300 industrial fishing and transport vessels from more than 10 different nations, working in one of world’s most complex and extensive seafood supply chains. The aim behind this initiative is to safeguard the welfare of the over 5,000 crew members living onboard these vessels, which fish and distribute tuna in the remote waters of PNA Pacific island nations.

Fishing

What are FADs?

FAD stands for “Fish Aggregating Device”: Manmade floating objects put in the marine ecosystem to accumulate skipjack tuna in particular (the most common tuna species in the ocean). But within weeks an entire ocean ecosystem starts to group underneath the FAD and therefore the device not only attracts tuna in large quantities, but also turtles, sharks and many juvenile tuna (bigeye and yellowfin), which are not targeted catch.

The small skipjack caught on FADs are mostly mature, around 1.8 kg to 2.0 kg, but the yellowfin and bigeye caught in the same net are often the same size (juvenile). This is where the ecosystem is being harmed the most. The larger yellowfin and bigeye only become mature when they are from 18 kg or more, so if caught at about 2.0 kg or less, it means they will never reproduce. Often, the amount that these juvenile tuna species make up of FAD catch is between 20-25%.

Why do all these species accumulate under a FAD?

The reason why drifting ocean communities of sea life accumulate under the FAD is debated, however the most common used explanation is that FADs create a shade and disruption of the light coming from the ocean surface. Such environment provides protection to juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna, while also giving them a good food supply of various tiny fish, which increases their chances of survival.

Why buy a “sustainable MSC certified skipjack” if the skipjack stock is not overfished?

The urgent need for the sustainable catch of skipjack is not solely focused on the conservation of the species, but above all on the reduction and elimination of the by-catch of non-targeted species, often baby bigeye tuna, from the unsustainable catching method often used to catch skipjack: purse seining on FADs.

There is no Pacifical service fee charged for this partnership. The fee will be paid by the processor who sold the product (final processor)

Trader Final Product sourced from partner B3 (Type C3)

Thank you for considering trading MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

This category corresponds to a company that is a subsidiary / sales office / exclusive trade partner of a processor or an independent company working with a co-packer (s).

First step would be to determine which party will be reporting to Pacifical.

Next step would be to request an MOU from Pacifical. To review it, please send us a request to cynthia@pacifical.com specifying your category “Subsidiary / Exclusive trader / Contractee of a co-packer (Type C3)”, please note MSC Chain of Custody is required. The name and the MSC COC number of the packer you will be using should be included.

Pacifical will set up the logistics, traceability (Documentation + Reporting) and downgrading training.

Any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage (raw material or loins) that is to be moved and/ or sold to any buying party, should be reported to Pacifical within 30 days after dispatching. If sold as MSC, client must be under MOU to buy Pacifical raw material or loins.

Pacifical will be notified on any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage that has been downgraded to be sold as non-MSC, specifying the exact downgraded kilograms, the precise MSC trip certificate batch number involved, date of downgrade and to confirm that all concerned lots / bins in store have been marked as being non-MSC.

Sales contract is registered in the Pacifical Atuned System (Pacifical tracking system.)

Processor to upload the following documents (unless otherwise agreed) :

PNA MSC Certificate ( on the tuna used for the loaded production codes )

Bill of lading

Invoice with Final Market – End Customer

Production code list [Each code should be linked to an MSC trip number.

Pacifical will invoice its service fee (2%) only after your company has received payment from the final client on final product. Pacifical Fees are never charged on invoice price between processors and its subsidiaries, sales offices or exclusive trade partner in order to avoid relation to price transferring, the invoice to be used will be the one with the final client in the final market.

Trader Final Product (Type C2)

Thank you for considering trading MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

This category corresponds to companies which core purpose is to be a distributor, Broker, Importer of labeled product for final sale.

Pacifical Atuned Login details (Pacifical tracking system.) are created and provided to the processor.

Pacifical will set up the logistics, traceability (Documentation + Reporting) and downgrading training.

Sales contract is registered in the Pacifical Atuned System (Pacifical tracking system.)

Any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage (raw material or loins) that is to be moved and/ or sold to any buying party, should be reported to Pacifical within 30 days after dispatching. Client must also be under MOU to buy Pacifical raw material or loins.

Pacifical will be notified on any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage that has been downgraded to be sold as non-MSC, specifying the exact downgraded kilograms, the precise MSC trip certificate batch number involved, date of downgrade and to confirm that all concerned lots / bins in store have been marked as being non-MSC.

Processor to upload the following documents :

PNA MSC Certificate ( on the tuna used for the loaded production codes )

Bill of lading

Invoice with Final Market – End Customer

Production code list [Each code should be linked to an MSC trip number.

There is no Pacifical service fee charged for this partnership. The fee will be paid by the processor who buys the product from your company (final processor)

Repacker of Final Product (Type B4)

Thank you for considering processing MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

If you are a repacker of final product, you are relabeling an already packed final product (i.e tuna can, vacuumed pack tuna steak, pouch etc.)

First step would be to request an MOU from Pacifical. To review it, please send us a request to cynthia@pacifical.com specifying your category “Repacker of Final Product (Type B4)”, please note MSC Chain of Custody is required.

You are now ready to pack MSC certified Pacifical tuna!

Pacifical Atuned Login details (Pacifical tracking system.) are created and provided to the processor.

Pacifical team to arrange discussion on monthly reports with production code and MSC trip number link. Pacifical team will need to record final destination of the consumer units being repacked.

There is no Pacifical service fee charged for this partnership. The fee will be paid by the processor who sold you the product.

Trader Final Product sourced from partner (B3)

Thank you for considering processing MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

If you are an intermediary processor or co-packer, you are delivering Fully-Processed Product (Vacuumed packed tuna steaks, tuna in cans, pouch, glass jar etc.) to a Pacifical MOU partner and / or a Subsidiary / Sales Office or exclusive trade office. First step would be to determine which party will be reporting to Pacifical.

Next step would be to request an MOU from Pacifical. To review it, please send us a request to cynthia@pacifical.com specifying your category “Intermediary Processor or Co-packer (Type B3)”, please note MSC Chain of Custody is required.

Pacifical Atuned Login details (Pacifical tracking system.) are created and provided to the processor.

Pacifical will set up the logistics, traceability (Documentation + Reporting) and downgrading training.

Any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage (raw material or loins) that is to be moved and/ or sold to any buying party, should be reported to Pacifical within 30 days after dispatching. Client must also be under MOU to buy Pacifical raw material or loins.

Pacifical will be notified on any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage that has been downgraded to be sold as non-MSC, specifying the exact downgraded kilograms, the precise MSC trip certificate batch number involved, date of downgrade and to confirm that all concerned lots / bins in store have been marked as being non-MSC.

Sales contract is registered in the Pacifical Atuned System (Pacifical tracking system.)

PNA MSC Certificate ( on the tuna used for the loaded production codes )

Bill of lading

Invoice with Final Market – End Customer

Production code list [Each code should be linked to an MSC trip number.

There is no Pacifical service fee charged for this partnership. Type B3 processors work directly with a type C3 partner;Subsidiary, Sales Office or exclusive trade partner of this processor. Pacifical Fees are never charged on invoice price between processors and its subsidiaries, sales offices or exclusive trade partner in order to avoid relation to price transferring, the invoice to be used will be the one with the final client in the final market.

Processor Final Product (Type B2)

Thank you for considering processing MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

First step would be to request an MOU from Pacifical. To review it, please send us a request to cynthia@pacifical.com specifying your category “Final Processor (Type B2), please note MSC Chain of Custody is required.

Pacifical will set up the logistics, traceability (Documentation + Reporting) and downgrading training.

Processor will conclude contract with client. Final clients must have process the “Terms of Service” prior to buying the Pacifical product.

Any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage (raw material or loins) that is to be moved and/ or sold to any buying party, should be reported to Pacifical within 30 days after dispatching. Client must also be under MOU to buy Pacifical raw material or loins.

Pacifical will be notified on any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage that has been downgraded to be sold as non-MSC, specifying the exact downgraded kilograms, the precise MSC trip certificate batch number involved, date of downgrade and to confirm that all concerned lots / bins in store have been marked as being non-MSC.

Sales contract is registered in the Pacifical Atuned System (Pacifical tracking system.)

PNA MSC Certificate ( on the tuna used for the loaded production codes )

Bill of lading

Invoice with Final Market – End Customer

Production code list [Each code should be linked to an MSC trip number.

Pacifical will invoice its service fee (2%) only after your company has received payment from the final client on final product.

Processor Semi-Finished Product (Type B1)

Thank you for considering processing MSC certified Pacifical tuna, this is how you can start:

First step would be to request an MOU from Pacifical. To review it, please send us a request to cynthia@pacifical.com specifying your category “Semi-Finished Product Processor (Type B2)”, please note MSC Chain of Custody is required.

Pacifical Atuned Login details (Pacifical tracking system.) are created and provided to the processor.

Pacifical will set up the logistics, traceability (Documentation + Reporting) and downgrading training.

Processor will conclude contract with client. Any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage (raw material or loins) that is to be moved and/ or sold to any buying party, should be reported to Pacifical within 30 days after dispatching. Client must also be under MOU to buy Pacifical raw material or loins.

Pacifical will be notified on any MSC certified Pacifical tonnage that has been downgraded to be sold as non-MSC, specifying the exact downgraded kilograms, the precise MSC trip certificate batch number involved, date of downgrade and to confirm that all concerned lots / bins in store have been marked as being non-MSC.

Sales contract is registered in the Pacifical Atuned System (Pacifical tracking system.)